Arizona weekly enterprise., 1887-06-18
TIE Mormon settlement of Mesa, in

THE Mormon settlement of Mesa, in Maricopa county, is one of the most de- lightful and captivating spots to be found anywhere in the United States, and to casual visitor the place seems to be a gar den of enchantment It was but very few short years ago that this place of beauty, which is destined to be joy for ever, was repulsive, dry and barren desert, portion of the vast tract of deso- lation commencing upon the mesa lands of the Gila above Florence and extending to the Salt river, presenting evidences of a former cultivation and prosperous occu patton. The route of the old canals and acequias can still be partially traced, and here and there the shape of the prehis toric reservoirs are to be seen. The ruins of houses, temples and of cities are sufficiently preserved to excite the won der of the savant and the curiosity of the tourist, and they give positive proof that the time once was when hundreds of thousands of acres of rich land was culti- znilj;itA abundant water for all peces- sary purposes, supporting dense popu- lation of wealthy and happy people. The Mormon immigrants wisely reasoned that these fallow lands had become sterile solely for want of water, and they knew that the supply for this purpose had in no degree lessened during the interven- ing ages since the former dwellers of the valley disappeared, and they concluded to once more rehabilitate portion of them. Their experience has been pro ductive of wonders, and it fully demon strates the capabilitY of the vast body of land that the ancient inhabitants once titled so successfully. The Florence ca nal is likewise a revival of one of these ancient enterprises, and is following the example of our Mesa neighbors. It will bring a large water supply sufficient to thoroughly irrigate nearly 15O, 900 acres of land as rich and fertile as any in the world Mesa has set the model and one can there see and be convinced of just the picture the mesa lands from Florence to Casa Grande and far to the westw ard will present few years from now. The history of Mesas growth will be in min iature the history of the reclamation and magical growth of this great tract of land identical m resource, availability and possibility. It's resurrection from a death of uncertain ages is attended with no risks of experiment to the industrious and intelligent settler. Pioneer footsteps have made the path to prosperity plain enough for even the blind to follow and there is no possibility of failure. The land Is abundant, and can be secured un- der the various acts of congress relating to the dispAsal-af .l e=,>.,llie dnnnain- while the water to irrigate with is easily developed. Careful surveys show that the aggregate volume of water now used for irrigating purposes in Southern Cali fornia is not near so large as the availa- ble supply capable of being secured from the Gila river short distance above Florence. While this statement may at first seem to be an exggeration of the fact, yet it's truth is capable of satisfac- tory demonstration. With such form idable array of inducements to investors and industrious settlers, the outlook for the future of Florence is indeed brilliant, and words in it's praise cannot be too strongly expressed nor too frequently re. iterated and disseminated abroad.